Amherst and Easthampton will celebrate the holiday season with events on Friday highlighted by visits from Santa Claus.

Santa first makes an appearance in Amherst at the annual Merry Maple Celebration, something Town Manager John P. Musante said he’s looking forward to. The event in front of Town Hall offers hayrides beginning at 4:30 p.m. and a performance by the Amherst Regional Middle School Chorus from the Town Hall steps at 4:30.

The Town Room at Town Hall will become a crafts room and a place where children can have their faces painted.

The tree lighting commences at 4:45, with Santa Clause arriving on a fire truck accompanied by the University of Massachusetts Marching Band at 5:30 p.m.
As tradition dictates, Santa will hold court at the Amherst History Museum at the Strong House.

Those attending are asked to bring new and unwrapped toys, clothing, sports equipment, books and games for infants through teens for the annual Amherst Survival Center Toy Drive.

In Easthampton, the greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce and the Holiday Spirit Committee presents the annual Holiday Stroll and Santa visit beginning at 7 p.m. with strollers assembling at the Maple Street School.

They will amble to downtown singing holiday songs and then gather at Pulaski Park to wait for Santa. Santa will help light the park and then meet with children who will be able to partake of cocoa and cookies as they impart their wishes to the man in red.